US Navy Seeks Digital Stability Augmentation to Keep 1970s-Era F-5 Jets Out of Inverted Dives

Naval Air Systems Command is seeking industry input on digital stability augmentation and automatic flight control for the F-5N/F Tiger II adversary fleet, with an estimated requirement for 20 units. The proposed retrofit would adapt the American Systems AS2100 computer to existing mechanical linkages and hydraulic actuators while adding functions such as heading and altitude hold. Failure must return unaugmented control to the pilot without abrupt aircraft motion, rather than create a full fly-by-wire conversion. The sources-sought notice anticipates engineering within 18 months of an award, but establishes neither a production contract nor a final installation schedule.